Potion Commotion
Set right after Things Change. Beast Boy is still upset about losing Terra. But when he happens upon Raven's book of spells and potions, he thinks he's found a foolproof way of getting her back. Yet, then again… we're talking about Beast Boy here. Along the way he'll learn about life, love friendship and loss. And he'll have to make one impossible choice. BB/Terra vs. BB/Rae.
"Azarath Metrion Zynthos!" Raven cried hurtling a bus at the nearby monster.
The beast was knocked to the ground with the force of Raven's magic. She smirked in satisfaction as she heard a distinct "oof" of pain come from the monster.
"All right Raven!" Cyborg cheered flashing her a thumbs up sign. Starfire giggled and floated up and down clapping her hands together in a childlike moment of glee.
"Yes Friend Raven! Well done! Your magic has been most helpful!"
Raven's fought to keep the smirk on her face from growing into an all out grin. But that only lasted for a few moments.
"Raven look out!" She heard her leader Robin shout.
Raven looked over to where the creature had landed to realize that she had only made her opponent stronger.
When she threw the beast, in landed against a nearby brick wall. Now it had assimilated its shape. Wordlessly, the creature hauled itself up from the ground and began another assault against the Teen Titans.
Great. Raven growled internally. Raven assumed her protective fighting stance too late. The creature rammed itself against her and Raven went sailing through the air before she even had any time to react.
Raven slammed into the pavement with a sharp thud. Raven groaned in pain. It felt like she had been hit with a ton of bricks. Well technically I have. She thought this dryly to herself. Raven managed to roll herself onto her stomach in an attempt to get up. She moaned from the effort that this required from her.
Gritting her teeth, Raven attempted to stand on her shaking legs. She immediately plummeted back down to the ground. She gasped in pain as she fell. She never knew how extensive her injuries were until that moment. She had heard several of her bones snap when the creature hit her, but she didn't imagine that her wounds had really affected her that much. She began to worry. How would she control her powers if she was in this much pain? I'll have to heal myself later. She thought to herself. That is, she added as an afterthought, it I live that long.
Raven looked up to see her attacker was advancing steadily towards her. Panic was beginning to set in. Starfire and Cyborg were on its tail, blasting the creature vigorously. Robin threw every weapon in his tool belt at the thing. Yet this did nothing to deter it. If anything, the creature moved more rapidly with renewed enthusiasm. It was almost as if it the creature was immune to the Titan's powers. Worse than that, it was as if the attacks had made him stronger. It seemed that hand-to-hand combat was really the only way to deal with this thing.
We don't need starbolts or blasters or boomerangs or… even black magic. She thought to herself. We need…
Beast Boy. Just thinking his name sent a wave of anger washing through her. Where is he? She thought. Where was he when the team needed him? She tried futilely once more to stand. This attempt hadn't gone better than any of her others. As she crashed back to the ground she wondered. Why am I so weak?
She knew the answer of course. She had been over exerting herself all day to make up for Beast Boy's absence. While he had been desperately pursuing her, the way that a dog chases its tail, always going around in circles. When he was missing, she was forced to pick up his slack. Again.
Raven couldn't help but feel hurt. After all, the little twerp might annoy her to death, but his presence was somewhat comforting. Having him around was like knowing that you had a shadow. Sure. It was probably annoying to have something clinging to you so tightly. It was be weird knowing that it you turn around it is always there. But it was kind of relaxing too. Knowing that some things never change. Knowing that if you looked down, you would always have a shadow.
Beast Boy had been Raven's shadow. And she had just kind of taken it for granted that he would always be there. Force feeding her tofu, or playing his video games too loudly, or telling her horrendous jokes that she would never find funny. Raven wouldn't go as far to say that she enjoyed his company. She had just grown accustomed to it. It was nice to know that some things never change.
No matter what nasty and hostile things that Raven could say about Beast Boy, he always had her back. Always. Usually, at times like this, when Raven fell to ground, Beast Boy would have already had the monster through the wall making some wisecrack about him not being as tough as he looked. Or he would have helped Raven to her feet with some snide remark about always being willing to save a damsel in distress. If times were really desperate he would just grab her tightly with a reassuring squeeze and pull her to her feet, not needing any words. He would nod and give her an understanding smile. She wouldn't even need to thank him. He just knew. And she knew that he would always be there. To annoy her and protect her. Just like a shadow. Now Raven had the feeling that her shadow had been ripped away from her. If she looked down, she would be shocked to find that no dark image spread across the ground before her. But why? She thought. What was wrong? What was different this time? But in her heart of hearts she knew.
He had abandoned them. And it was all because of her.
"Terra." She practically spat the name. She had hated that girl from the moment that she met her. She knew right away that there was something off about the Earthmover. Not because of any supernatural omen from the underworld. Not from her powers of empathy, sensing her adversary's emotions. Just pure instinctual hatred. The feeling that a girl gets when she meets another female that she knows she will be destined to hate. Raven had based her dislike on a hunch. And just as always, she was right.
Terra had attempted to murder the Teen Titans more times than Beast Boy could probably count. Perhaps that was way he was so quick to forget her betrayal.
From the beginning she had been an evil spy, working for Slade, the Titan's arch nemesis. She had dreamt up personalized deaths for each of her former friends. She learned each of their weaknesses, exposed them, and exploited them. She had taken the Titan's offer of refuge and friendship, spat on it and stamped it into the dust. She didn't need friends. She had traded friendship for power and control. Control of the world and control of herself.
Raven sneered thinking of how naive her friends were. How they so casually accepted that Terra had mastered her powers with no assistance, all in a matter of months. Did they not understand that it had taken Raven a lifetime to finally gain control over hers?
They did not see because they did not want to see. They believed because they wanted to believe. They all just loved Terra. So very much. Raven's thoughts were dripping with bitterness and hatred when she recalled the still aching wounds that came with the memory of the young geomancer.
They had all trusted her so quickly. It made Raven sick to see how gullible the rest of them was. How they fell so rapidly for her little charade. To see how easily blinded they all were by a pretty face. What was so special about Terra anyway? What was it about her that made Raven's team adore Terra, a newcomer and a villainess, so much more than Raven herself? Raven who, albeit with all of her sarcasm and caustic remarks, had stuck by them all since the very beginning.
Was it Terra's sweet and innocent face that so masterfully had masked all of the ugliness inside of her? Was it her warm and understanding smile that had deceived all of them? The shy and earnest grin that had fooled, though she would not admit it for all the world, even Raven at some point, into thinking that Terra had cared about any them. Was it her petite and unthreatening figure, her long and silky blonde hair that always seemed to cascade gently down her back or fall softly, strand by strand, into her face? Was it those baby blue eyes that none of the Teen Titans would have ever predicted could narrow at the team defiantly, in hatred and in scorn?
Raven clenched her already bloodied fists against the ground, further grinding them into the pavement and making new blood flow from old wounds.
Raven flinched. What was it? How could this girl, with so much as one glance in Beast Boy's direction, make him willing to throw away everything, everything that they had worked towards? Raven looked up to see the creature almost upon her. For the final time she attempted to stand.
Though deep in her heart she knew how this final futile desperate effort to hold on would go. She knew it before the scratched and scarred palms supporting her had even left the ground.
It would come crashing down into the dust. Just like everything else.
Raven sighed. With a grim acceptance she refocused her efforts and channeled all of her energy into a spell that could ward the creature off, if only for a little while. She took in a deep breath and let her head tip back slightly, knowing full well that she would most likely faint after this last curse had been cast. Raven's teammates were still screaming at her from the sidelines. They had realized that their attacks were useless long ago.
"Raven!" Robin yelled sounding frantic. "Be careful! It's not worth it if you're going to strain yourself. Teleport yourself out and we can track it later! I'm more concerned about your safety."
Easy for you to say Robin. I can't teleport us all out and there's no way I'm leaving you all. I'm many things but I'm not a deserter. Unlike some people.
"Friend Raven you are injured!" Starfire screamed sounding borderline hysterical. "Please stop!"
So now they want me to leave? Do they really find me… that… useless?
"Don't do it Raven! Don't do it! Listen to them! Don't worry about us. Just go!"
She ignored them of course. Just as she always had.
As Raven manifested her ball of energy, what would most likely be her last conscious thought for the moment strayed to Terra. She sighed in mild annoyance, yet resignation and acceptance at the same time. Things always seemed so much cleared right before darkness, do they not?
I suppose I'll never know what made her so much better than me. Raven thought to herself. And I'll never be able to do the things that she did. I'll never be able to make the room light up with a single smile. I'll never have the ability give a short burst of laughter that will leave people craving my friendship. I'll never be able to make people trust me so much that my betrayal will make it feel as though their world and everything that they knew about it is collapsing. I'll never be able to steal a boy's heart let alone break.
Her ball of black light grew larger, just as the creature raised its brick strong arms to attack. Or was that concrete now? They room had begun to spin and Raven was too dizzy to tell.
I'll never be like her. But that's okay. I'll just be forced to be me. And I could never do the thing that she did. But that is alright as well. Because I can still do this.
Raven uttered the first words that she had spoken aloud since her fall.
"Azarath Metrion –"
Suddenly, out of nowhere he came. She heard nothing but a crash and saw a sudden flash of green. But somehow she knew it was him. Who else could it be? Who else would be stupid enough to come between her and villain right as she about to cast a magic spell that would send the thing, whatever it was, halfway across the country? Raven turned her head in the direction that the two shadows had gone. She blinked a couple of times to make sure that it wasn't a faintness-induced dream. A mirage of some sort. But no. He was really there.
Beast Boy. He had come out of nowhere, in his triceratops form, and had charged at the creature with, what looked like, all the strength that he could muster. Apparently it did the trick because the creature had gone sailing into another brick wall. Just like the one that Raven had sent him through. Only this time he must have hit the wall harder because the beast did not get up. Instead its (eyes?) rolled back in its (head?) and it collapsed into a pile of rubble. For a while there was silence.
Beast Boy changed back into his human form and advanced towards the creature slowly, yet not cautiously. He honestly looked like he wouldn't have minded if the creature had decided to come back to life and kill him where he stood. But it didn't.
Beast Boy reached the creature and bent down next to it very softly. He muttered something it something that sounded remarkably like "Don't touch my fur."
Raven narrowed her eyes in confusion. Beast Boy had just had a, she would admit it, decently awesome entrance, had kicked the monster's butt singlehandedly and all that he could come up with as a victory line was "Don't touch my fur?" Triceratops didn't even have fur. She rolled her eyes. Some things would never change.
Beast Boy stood up and turned to face the team. Raven raised an eyebrow. Has he gotten taller? She thought. She immediately dismissed the notion as ridiculous. She had seen him this morning. Unless he went through puberty in the span of several minutes, it seemed highly unlikely.
He just looked older. Maybe it was the fact that, for once in his life, he wasn't donning that ridiculous grin that made him look like he was twelve years old. His face was decorated with a hard looking from right now, which looked almost alien on his face. It was more creepy and unnatural that Starfire's Tamaranean dishes or worse… Beast Boy's tofu eggs. She shuddered.
Beast Boy's eyes met hers for a moment. But no understanding smile warmed his face this time.
Beast Boy must have known that he was in for a lecture. Where had he been all day? But instead…
"Yeah BB!" Cyborg cheered his best friend after an awkward silence. "You go little green dude!"
Starfire's mouth was perfect o of shock. They she broke into an excited giggle. "Hooray Friend Beast Boy! You kicked the butt!"
Beast Boy did not respond to this. Instead he turned around to face the creature again. His back was to Raven and the rest of the team now. "Sorry I'm late." He growled in a husky sounding voice. Had his voice gotten deeper too? Raven rolled her eyes and snarled at him. Oh he was in for it now. Wait until he -
Instead Robin cleared his throat nervously. Then he gave Beast Boy a small smile. "That's alright. Good work Beast Boy. Glad to have you – "
Beast Boy held up an hand to silence them. Surprisingly the Boy Wonder ceased his congratulations. So did everyone else. Raven glowered. What was his deal? Beast Boy usually lapped up attention like a warthog at the watering hole. Now what was his issue?
"Is it dead?" He whispered closing his eyes. The team looked back and forth between each other. And they understood. This would be the first time that Beast Boy had ever killed anything. Ever. The boy couldn't kill a fly. He couldn't even eat meat for God's sake. The only thing Beast Boy had ever killed before was lifeless robots. It that even counted. And now this of course. Though Raven wasn't quite sure that she would count this thing as living either. They weren't quite sure what it is.
"I said is it dead?" Beast Boy asked louder. Raven couldn't see how he clenched his eyes more tightly, trying to ward off the tears. But his voice sounded louder, harsher this time.
Wordlessly, Cyborg made his way over to the pile of rubble. He held out his arm, scanner and all. He moved it around half-heartedly. Though Raven suspected that Cyborg knew the answer to Beat Boy's question even without any technology. They all did. They saw the creature's eyes roll back.
"I'm not picking up any signs of life on my Bio-scanner." Cyborg said quietly. He turned around to give Beast Boy a reassuring pat on the back.
"It's alright little dude. You did it." Beast Boy shrugged his arm off.
"Yes! And it is glorious that you did!" Starfire said floating above him. "Friend Raven certainly would have been in much trouble if you had not."
The team turned to acknowledge the wounded empath and her ruined legs for the first time.
"How are you Raven?" Robin asked her. "How are you holding up?"
"I'm fine." Raven snarled back. "Just peachy." She turned to address the sullen shapeshifter beside him. "Beast Boy you idiot I had it!" She yelled as she finally met his eyes. "What were you thinking interfering like that. One second later and you would have been in a black hole." She was exaggerating of course. Truth was, she had barely enough energy to move the creature back a few meters and delay him. Beast Boy and the others knew it too.
He quickly looked away avoiding Raven's accusing glare. "You know Rae." He said quietly. He still had his back to her. "You could at least pretend to be grateful."
Raven's voice had dropped down to a dangerous hiss. "Grateful? Grateful? For what? Grateful that we have been here working our butts off?" Grateful that I literally broke my back working to pick up your slack while you hopelessly pursued that girl?" Raven snarled in disgust "Yes Beast Boy. Thank you. I am so very grateful."
Beast Boy clenched his fist. He whirled on her, his pupil's dilating in anger and fury. In a flash he was beside her and yanked her up by her leotard. Raven gasped from the pain.
"SHUT UP!" He shouted at her. "DON'T CALL HER THAT!" He growled in her face. Raven was breathing deeply. She clenched her eyes preparing for him to hurl her across the ground, injuring her damaged body further. She wouldn't blame him if he did. She had instigated him. She should have known better. Raven had the unique ability to evoke the Beast in this child. She should have known to keep a cap on her emotions and leave him alone.
Starfire gasped and put a hand to her mouth. She started forward but Robin held a hand out steadying her. "Beast Boy." He cautioned.
Just like that Beast Boy's pupils returned to normal. Raven couldn't help but feel jealous. Why couldn't she control him like that? Why could Raven only evoke feelings of anger and hatred in him and not those of calmness and serenity. She wondered dimly if he would of obeyed Terra had she been here.
None of these emotions played out across Raven's face. She had become a master at hiding them. Instead she stared at him, her eyes measuring him up as a potential opponent. Accusing him. Daring him. Challenging him.
Suddenly Beast Boy heaved a great and weary sigh. Wordlessly, he scooped her up in his arms, surprisingly gently for someone who had been all but ready to kill her just a few short moments ago.
"I don't want your help." Raven hissed half-heartedly. The plea sounded weak and whining in her own ears. She sounded like a petulant child.
"I understand that Raven." Beast boy downed in a monotone similar to the one that Raven used. She flinched. Did it sound so superior when she did it?
"I understand Raven." Beast Boy repeated again. "But well… when it comes down to it, I don't care what you want. You need my help. And in the end, that's all that really matters."
They didn't speak another word to each other for the rest of the very long walk home.